diff --git a/src/textual/widgets/_selection_list.py b/src/textual/widgets/_selection_list.py
index 8e3ba4688..17852b6dc 100644
--- a/src/textual/widgets/_selection_list.py
+++ b/src/textual/widgets/_selection_list.py
@@ -302,12 +302,12 @@ class SelectionList(Generic[SelectionType], OptionList):
         Args:
             selection: The selection to mark as selected.
         """
-        self._deselect(
+        if self._deselect(
             selection.value
             if isinstance(selection, Selection)
             else cast(SelectionType, selection)
-        )
-        self.refresh()
+        ):
+            self.refresh()
         return self
 
     def deselect_all(self) -> Self: